Costa Ricans went to the polls Sunday to elect a new president amid growing fears over crime and declining public services. Early counts suggest right-wing candidate Laura Fernández holds a commanding lead.
According to Daljoog News analysis, voters are signaling deep concern over personal security, economic inequality, and a political system struggling to engage citizens. Fernández’s popularity reflects both public anxiety and a desire for decisive leadership.
The vote comes at a pivotal moment for a country long celebrated for its stability and environmental stewardship. With over 20 presidential candidates and record levels of homicide in 2023, Costa Rica faces questions about its social cohesion and future direction.
What Happened?
Polls closed after a tense campaign dominated by crime and public dissatisfaction. Preliminary results from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal show Fernández, representing the ruling Sovereign People’s Party, capturing 53.01 percent of votes with roughly one-third of polling stations counted. Her nearest competitor, centrist economist Álvaro Ramos Chaves, trails at 30.05 percent.
Costa Rican law requires a candidate to secure at least 40 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff. If Fernández maintains her lead, she could claim the presidency in the first round—a scenario analysts had seen as plausible given pre-election polling. Surveys from the Center for Research and Political Studies at the University of Costa Rica (CIEP-UCR) highlighted widespread indecision among voters, with more than 25 percent undecided days before the election.
The election season has underscored the country’s security challenges. Despite its long-standing reputation as a peaceful nation without an army, Costa Rica recorded 905 homicides in 2023, driven largely by drug trafficking. In January, the US Treasury labeled the country a “key global cocaine transshipment point,” adding urgency to the debate over public safety.
Why This Matters
Costa Rica’s social contract is under strain. Public confidence in institutions, from healthcare to education, has eroded alongside rising crime rates. Experts warn that without meaningful reforms, the country risks long-term deterioration in living standards and citizen trust.
The election also signals a broader trend in Latin America, where security concerns have increasingly shaped voter behavior. Leaders like El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele have leveraged hardline crime policies to consolidate power, drawing both admiration and criticism across the region. Costa Rica’s recent move to break ground on a Bukele-style high-security prison highlights the influence of these policies on national politics.
Economic tensions amplify the stakes. While Costa Rica has experienced growth since joining the OECD in 2021, benefits remain uneven. Free trade zones drive much of the progress, but these areas employ a small fraction of the population and do not reflect the wider economy. Ordinary citizens often feel left behind, reinforcing voter frustration and political apathy.
What Analysts or Officials Are Saying
Political scientist José Andrés Díaz González emphasizes that the current crisis extends beyond crime. He warns that deteriorating social services, an aging population, and declining voter engagement threaten the nation’s stability. “The foundations of the social pact are being weakened,” he told CNN, citing challenges in health, education, and security.
Leonardo Merino, from the State of the Nation Program, echoes this concern. He points out that while economic growth appears robust, it has largely bypassed the domestic economy where most Costa Ricans work. Free trade zones fuel GDP but do little to improve widespread living standards.
Former President Rodrigo Chaves has publicly celebrated Bukele’s involvement in Costa Rica’s security initiatives. “Nayib Bukele’s presence is important, legitimate, and honors us,” Chaves said at the prison groundbreaking, signaling alignment with regional hardline strategies.
Daljoog News Analysis
Costa Rica’s election is as much a referendum on governance as it is on policy. Fernández’s lead reflects public desire for visible action against crime and for restoring order, but it also exposes a broader disconnect between the electorate and political institutions.
The rise of right-wing populism here mirrors trends seen across Latin America: voters increasingly prioritize immediate security over long-term social policies. Meanwhile, environmental commitments and social protections, once central to Costa Rican identity, risk being sidelined in the pursuit of law-and-order messaging.
Voter apathy is another critical factor. Once politically engaged, Costa Ricans now show declining party affiliation and participation. Analysts warn that ignoring this disengagement could deepen social fractures and undermine democratic legitimacy over time.
What Happens Next
The outcome will clarify whether Costa Rica’s electorate grants a first-round mandate or forces a runoff. Either scenario will test the ability of politicians to reconnect with citizens and address multifaceted challenges, from crime to economic inequality.
Long-term, Costa Rica faces choices that could reshape its identity. Will it retain its commitment to social and environmental progress, or follow the model of regional neighbors like El Salvador, emphasizing security and authoritarian-style solutions? The coming months will be critical for both governance and the preservation of the social contract that has defined the country for over a century.